August Wilson Fences Symbolism

The book Fences by August Wilson is an American novel that was written to describe the work and hardships that African Americans had to endure during the 1930's and 1940's. Many characters throughout the story had important roles in the story but the most important was the protagonist, Troy. Most of the story that is being told in fences mainly belongs to Troy and his life. Most of the characters have in comparison with Troy is a complicated relationship with him.

The title of a book is the first thing the reader sees when they pick it up. It serves as a first taste of what to expect in the book they are spending their time reading. In the play Fences by August Wilson, the title reflects the issues faced by the various characters and the figurative or sometimes literal fence that divides them all. Troy Maxson, the main character, is working on building a fence in front of his house to serve as a divider for their property. He struggles to form strong relationships with his sons and in some cases his wife Rose, causing a fence to form in between them. A fence develops throughout the play for Troy and Rose, Troy and his family, and among him and death itself.

Troy Masson experienced a hard traumatic childhood, he dreaded his father. Troy and Cory don't have the best father-son relationship, but it is solely because of Troy's past. Troy does not want his son Cory, to play football. Troy takers away Cory's one big dream,"what you do that for pop?," Papa done went up to the school and told Coach Zelman I can't play football no more......Troy feels as if he has all the authority and knows everything. He thinks everything and everybody inside

Troy and his son had a complex relationship. They did not outwardly show the affection the held for each other; instead they carried it internally. An approach that was dependent on the history of racism. They needed to come off as strong and any emotions they allowed into play could make them come off as weak. Corey had been playing football and proved to have exceptional abilities in the game. Troy, however, did not want him to pursue this talent. He instead wanted him to get a steady job, a job that

August Wilson in his play Fences gives his audience a unique view into the lives of individuals who lived in a time of great change in America. Into the chaotic household of Troy Maxson, “an illiterate garbage man … who fashions his identity and self-awareness through bold expressive tales”(321). Troy, a prisoner unto himself, fights with confusion and pain as he struggles with the truths of the ever changing world around him. Troy is very similar to the prisoner in Platos’ Allegory of the cave a slave who won’t turn around. August Wilson’s play Fences is the story of a black family in the middle of the nineteen fifties It follows Troy Maxson a middle aged laymen, who is married to Rose his wife of many years. Troy and Rose have

The definition of a fence is a barrier, railing, or an upright structure enclosing an area to mark a boundary or prevent escape. The dramatic play “Fences”, by August Wilson, uses a fence to symbolize the barriers which destroy the relationships between a family of four. Troy’s affair was the obstacle that destroyed his and Rose’s marriage. Due to Troy’s selfishness, his bond with his brother Gabriel was also impaired. Finally, Troy’s relationship with his son Cory was ruined because of Troy’s own expectations of his son.

When Gabriel is living with Troy he is able to receive some of his money from the Government. Unfortunately for Troy, Gabriel moves out and he is no longer receiving any money. Eventually, Troy realizes he needs the money and betrays Gabriel by having him sent away to a mental hospital for his brain damage affects that have caused him to act in absurd manners (Act II Scene II). It’s not directly stated that Troy did for the money but seems to be the only reason why he would do such a thing to his brother. Since in the beginning Troy stated, he would never send his brother to a mental hospital (Act I Scene II). Overall, because Troy wanted half the money that Gabriel received he got his brother sent away. Ruining his relationship with him. Wilson used Gabriel in this scene to symbolize people will give up on family just for their own

A conversation develops when Bono confronts Troy about cheating on Rose, “That’s why I don’t want to see you hurt her. But what you gonna do when she find out? What you got then? If you try and juggle both of them… sooner or later you gonna drop one of them.” (Wilson 2.1 63).

(Act 1 Scene 3) Troy’s past is the reason why he doesn’t want things to happen to Cory if he goes into football. Troy’s fence of keeping family and work in has a negative effect on the family itself and is why Troy later becomes so

August Wilson utilizes symbolism in the play Fences. Symbolism represent things by means of symbols or of attribution symbolic meanings to objects events, or relationships. In fences he utilizes symbolism to facilitate the process of comprehension, and demonstrate how the characters interprets subjects and situations. In the examples of Wilson’s play fences trace how each characters respond to the situation. In this play for example, the character of this play Troy and Rose demonstrate their views of what a fence means for them. Troy is building the fence is a responsibility and Rose wants a fence to keep her, Troy and Cory united.

Cory finally gets up the nerve to confront his father about their relationship. The two are alone in the yard working on the fence. While they are preparing boards to put the fence together Cory timidly approaches Troy. “Why don’t you like me?”, “Why can’t I have my chance?” A paid up college education a chance to be a football player; a dream come true. Who would not want that for their child? One would believe that a father would be overjoyed to have a star athlete as a son. Cory’s confrontation with Troy mirrors Troy’s own confrontation with his father. Cory is feeling a need for a future away from his oppressive and controlling father.

He has a very good friend named Bono; Troy has another son Cory, who is a very hard working boy and has the opportunity to play college football, but his father won’t let

Troy also talks about the devil in this play and how the devil was coming for him, so the fence also represents a line between him and the devil. “Death ain’t nothing to play with.

Troy safeguards his sibling Gabriel out of prison. Bono and Troy chip away at the fence. Bono discloses to Troy and Cory that Rose needs the fence since she cherishes her family and needs to keep near her affection. Troy admits to Bono that he is taking part in an extramarital entanglements with Alberta. Bono wagers Troy that on the off chance that he wraps up the fence for Rose, Bono will purchase his significant other, Lucille the cooler he has guaranteed her for quite a while. Troy enlightens Rose regarding a hearing in three weeks to decide if Gabriel ought to be recommitted to a shelter. Troy educates Rose regarding his undertaking. Rose blames

August Wilson takes on topics like family drama and systematic racism through many of his works including Fences. To me, this play is unique in the struggles it addresses. Throughout my education I have been made to read many works of literature and plays and August Wilson does not compare to the western canon I grew up reading. It was extremely interesting to read and see a different perspective on such an important issue. I believe that Fences is a good play because of its well-developed plot, strong characters, and symbolism.